![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/7/8417532/6656961.jpg?419)
Despite the Premier and the LNP claiming to be listening more, Opposition questioning showed their claim to be simply more spin from an arrogant, out-of-touch government.
In Question Time the Premier was tested on his supposed about-face on the need for a bipartisan appointment as chair of the new Crime and Corruption Commission. If he were genuine, he'd insist on a bipartisan chair now and would remove the current acting chair in whom the Opposition has expressed no confidence. But when questioned he failed to do so.
If the LNP were genuine, they would scrap their new laws allowing secret political donations of up to $12,400 before being publicly declared. Again, when questioned if he would return the $1,000 threshold that applied under the former Labor Government the Premier rejected the idea.
It is clear the Premier and the LNP are not genuine when they say they have changed.
If the Premier were really listening to Queenslanders he would scrap the LNP’s plans for massive asset sales. Queenslanders do not want asset sales but the Newman Government is not listening.
In Parliament the Premier was asked specifically if he would halt his taxpayer-funded “Strong Choices” pro-asset sales advertising campaign, and immediately rule out the biggest sale of government owned assets in the state’s history, He refused to do so.
The Newman Government continues to cherry-pick crime statistics to suit its campaign of misleading political spin. Public statements by the Premier, Police Minister Jack Dempsey, and others in the LNP Government have deliberately focussed on 2013-14 statistics for “reported” offences and have claimed an 11% drop in crime.
But when all categories of offences are considered, not just “reported” offences — there has been only a 2% fall in crime across the state.
As Shadow Police Minister Bill Byrne pointed out, this fall follows a 2% rise in the previous 2012-13 year, so the LNP is effectively at a standstill when it comes to delivering on its claims to be tackling crime across our state.
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/7/8417532/3606757.jpg?440)
All LNP MPs present voted down the Opposition’s motion calling for the government to abandon its controversial policy which limits the time public housing tenants can spend away from their homes to just four weeks in a calendar year.
Public housing tenants are ordinary Queenslanders who pay their rent on time, maintain their properties, who take pride in their homes by spending their savings on gardens, water tanks and sometimes solar panels. They are not second-class citizens, but that’s exactly how the Newman LNP Government treats them.
Opposition MPs have been contacted by distressed tenants who feared being evicted from their homes if they needed to stay away for extended periods to help out in a family crisis; tend to a sick relative; or went away to visit friends or family.
There is no similar provision in the private rental marker which shows the callous and arrogant attitude of the LNP. The Opposition has organised a petition against the temporary absence policy. It is available to sign in person at the electorate offices of all Labor MPs or online here.
The Parliamentary week ended with the release of shocking jobless figures for Queensland, showing the Newman Government has smothered the state’s economy and the job prospects of Queenslanders. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.8% for July is up on the 6.3% recorded in June and well above the 5.5% the LNP inherited at the March 2012 election.
The 6.8% figure, as Shadow Treasurer Curtis Pitt, pointed out is an 11-year high and unemployment in Queensland was skyrocketing under the Newman Government. Not during the global financial crisis nor in the aftermath of the devastating natural disasters of recent years did unemployment go that high.
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/7/8417532/7250519.jpg)
The LNP had committed to having our state heading towards a 4% jobless rate over six years but had since comprehensively broken that promise.
Welcome Dr Anthony Lynham The latest sitting of State Parliament saw the swearing-in of the new Labor Party Member for Stafford, Dr Anthony Lynham. In his inaugural speech Dr Lynham said it was an immense honour to rise and speak for the first time in the Parliament.
“I am truly humbled by the faith and trust that the people of Stafford have afforded me,” he told Parliament.
“I assure Members of this House that I will work hard every day to fulfil my duty to the people of Stafford. It’s an honour I embrace wholeheartedly.”
The addition of Dr Lynham to the State Parliamentary Labor Party has meant a reshuffle in the Shadow Ministry. The Member for Redcliffe, Yvette D’Ath, has been promoted to Shadow Attorney-General to target Jarrod Bleijie, one of the Newman Government’s weakest links.
Yvette will be the reasonable, consultative voice the legal profession at all levels has been missing ever since the election of the Newman Government.
She will also continue as Shadow Minister for Training and Disability Services and will add Housing to her responsibilities.
Dr Lynham takes on the Education portfolio along with Primary Industries and Fisheries; as Science, IT and Innovation and Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Public Service.